Former Governor Mark Sanford was considered the front runner due to name recognition and the fact that he had $120,000 in an old campaign account. That coupled with his ability to fundraise quickly gave him a leg up on the field. It was also his former seat in the U.S. House of Representatives that he held for three terms, prior to being elected governor.[6]

The district leans Republican.[7] The last Democratic candidate elected was Mendel Jackson Davis in 1978.[8]